January Premier League transfers have also been tricky, you can get some gems like Nemanja Vidic while also picking up some crocks like Andy Carroll.
Teams frantically try and get business sorted and sometimes due diligence goes out the window. For example, Kim Kallstrom signed for an Arsenal team in desperate need for cover in midfield, the only problem was Kallstrom was already injured.
Interestingly players may be the one frantically searching for a move away due to the impending European championships. International caps are at stake so we may see a few moves yet before the window closes.
Arsenal
Business so far :
The big news coming from the Emirates is the freeing up of wages on the books for Mikel Arteta. Mesut Ozil has finally left the club completely while William Saliba and Senad Kolasinic have gone on loan. Omar Rekik has been brought in this window with the 19-year-old has joined from Bundesliga side Hertha Berlin. Australian goalkeeper Mat Ryan has also joined on loan for the remainder of the season from Brighton & Hove Albion.
Martin Odegaard is the only player on the mind of Arsenal fans coming up to the end of the transfer window though. After a breakthrough season last year with Real Sociedad, the Norweigan playmaker was recalled to his parent club Real Madrid. Zinedine Zidane only managed to find room for the former wonderkid in his squad nine times in total which makes a loan move make sense. Highly regarded in 2015, once considered the new Messi, hopefully, he can fulfil some of that promise in the Premier League.
Suspected business :
Matteo Guendouzi has an interesting situation occurring at Hertha Berlin, who have recently sacked their head coach. Rumours are rife that the French international could possibly return to London in anticipation of a move to play his football in Paris; sans Germany. Speaking of PSG the yearly ritual of linking Julian Draxler to the London club are in full swing, expect more talk come July when the German international is out of contract.
Lucas Torreria could possibly also see his loan cut short at Athletico Madrid while Calum Chambers, Mustafi and Reiss Nelson could possibly be leaving on loan.
Aston Villa
Business so far :
Irish international Conor Hourihane has been loaned out to Swansea after seeing his playing time drastically reduced this season. The Welsh side are gunning for promotion this year, so from an Irish perspective that can only be a good thing. Evan Ferguson from has joined the Birmingham based club from Bohemians, so one Irish in and one Irish out! The Villian’s seem excited by their other new signing, Morgan Sanson, who has joined from Marseille. The transfer was for 14 million, which the French team reluctantly accepted due to the financial state of the club.
Suspected business :
Aston Villa are apparently interested in former Liverpool target Alex Teixeira after he left Chinese Super League side Jiangsu Suning in December. They may face competition from Benfica and Shakhtar Donetsk and Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal. Villa fans should feel at ease in regards to the future of Ross Barkley. Some have been wondering is a return to Chelsea on the cards for the Englishman since Thomas Tuchel is now in charge however Dean Smith has recently clarified the midfielder’s position. He said, “No. I’m led to believe it was a season-long loan with no pullback in the January window.”
Brighton & Hove Albion
Business so far :
Brighton, as of yet, have not conducted any incoming business so far. The departure lounge at the club has been quite full with Warren O’Hara to joining MK Dons permanently and Jason Molumby , Mat Ryan, Bernardo and Viktor Gyokeres have left on loan.
Suspected Business :
Manchester United goalkeeper Sergio Romero is suspected to be brought in to help Brighton’s defensive woes. The Argentinian has 96 international caps but was completely shunned this season at Old Trafford in favour of Dean Henderson. Speaking of Manchester United One time United target Moisés Caicedo from Ecuador set to join Brighton with current midfielder Yves Bissouma possibly on the move away from the club.
Burnley
Business so far :
After American investors ALK Capital completed their takeover of Burnley mid-January, big things were expected. So far it has been quite tentative, with no incomings or outgoings. Sean Dyche has managed to turn fortunes around in recent times, and with the ship steadied, a busy end to the window may be on the cards.
Suspected business :
Preston North End defender Ben Davies was thought to be subject to a last gasp bid from Burnley, however, it’s been revealed he has agreed a pre-contract with Celtic. The Clarets are still looking to shore up their defence with the future departure of James Tarkowski on the cards in the Summer, so they have made a bid for Stokes youngest ever captain Nathan Collins. The Irish youngster will make the step up to the Premier League one day it seems but not for the £3.5 million Burnley offered. Johnjoe Kenny is also a possible target, but the Everton defender, with only 18 months left on his contract, is currently out of their price range.
Chelsea
Business so far :
The biggest news is obviously the changing of managers from Frank Lampard to Thomas Tuchel. We have taken an in-depth loan into what went wrong for Frank and perhaps the sale of Tomori to AC Milan may have played a small role in that decision. Tomori was with Lampard in his time at Derby and had a breakthrough season at Chelsea in the first year of Lampard’s tenure. However, his playing side was significantly reduced this season and has been sold to AC Milan for €30 million despite being regarded as a future prospect.
Chelsea have let talent go before their time on many occasions, most notably Kevin De Bruyne, Mo Salah, Romelu Lukaku and Declan Rice. I’d imagine not much was said about Danny Drinkwater and Lucas Piazon leaving this window though.
Suspected business :
Chelsea have spent £220 in the Summer so Thomas Tuchel will be expected to get the best out of the players purchased then. He also has the like of Antonio Rudiger and Marcus Alonso who have been frozen out in recent time to possibly re-establish themselves. Rumours of a move for former academy prospect Declan Rice may be put to bed with keen admirer Lampard out the door.
Another big Summer may be on the cards but January should be quite. More departures may occur with Billy Gilmour touted for a loan move.
